My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 84

Lily moved to sit on the sofa at the side of the room. Jabco followed and sat next to her, though he kept a polite distance. He took a sip of the coffee, savoring it for a moment, then turned back to her.

“How is your friend doing now?” Lily asked softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“He’s doing fine now,” Jabco replied with a small sigh of relief. “Luckily, it’s nothing serious. Just a few scratches and a minor fracture. He’ll recover in no time.”

“That’s good to hear,” Lily said with a small smile, genuinely relieved for him.

On the bed, Olivia was quietly watching them. Her eyes moved between Lily and Jabco, studying the scene.

She noticed how calm their conversation was, how natural it felt. The way Jabco’s eyes softened when he looked at Lily, the way his smile lingered just a bit longer whenever she spoke—Olivia didn’t miss any of it.

When Jabco had first stepped into the room earlier, Olivia had caught that moment of surprise in his expression, the way his face immediately relaxed as though he had been tense until then. She realized he had thought Lily was the one lying in the bed, and the relief in his eyes when he saw she was fine had been unmistakable.

Now, as she watched them talk over coffee, Olivia’s heart eased a little. For the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of hope, not for her son and Lily, but for Lily alone. She could see clearly that Jabco was interested in her. He tried to hide it behind politeness, but it was there, in every glance, in every word.

And Olivia, though she knew Lily was her daughter-in-law, could not bring herself to stop that thought from forming in her heart.

What else could she do? Her son didn’t want Lily. He had already chosen someone else, and Olivia didn’t want Lily to continue suffering because of David’s stubbornness.

For Lily’s happiness, Olivia knew she had to let go.

“Lily,” Olivia’s voice called gently from the bed.

“Yes, Mum?” Lily stood up immediately and walked to her side, setting her coffee cup on the table. “Do you need something?”

Olivia smiled faintly and shook her head. “No, I don’t need anything. But you’ve been here with me the entire day. You should go home and rest.”

Lily shook her head firmly. “No, Mum, I’m fine. I’ll stay with you.”

Olivia reached out and patted her hand softly. “It’s okay, dear. I have the nurse with me, and David can come anytime if I need him. You’ve done enough for today. Go home and get some proper rest.”

Lily hesitated. Her loyalty, her care, always made her want to stay, but Olivia’s eyes told her this wasn’t just a suggestion,it was a request.

Then Olivia turned her gaze toward Jabco, who was sitting quietly, pretending to sip his coffee as though he wasn’t listening. “Mr. Grey,” she said gently.

“Yes, Mrs. Hardison?” Jabco stood up quickly, respectful as always.

“Can I trouble you to send Lily home?” Olivia asked, her tone soft but carrying a quiet firmness.

But before Olivia could say anything, an angry voice cut through the air.

“No, you can’t.”

The three of them turned their heads toward the door. David was standing there, his expression dark, his jaw tight. His eyes were burning holes into Jabco, and his voice was sharp enough to cut glass. He stepped inside, his gaze fixed only on Jabco, ignoring even his mother.

“What the hell are you thinking?” David’s voice rose as he walked closer. “Did you lose your mind? Asking another man’s wife to dinner in front of her husband?” His tone was rough, accusing, his anger boiling to the surface.

Lily stiffened on her place. She felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. Why did Jabco say that in front of Olivia? She didn’t want more arguments, not here, not in front of Olivia.

But Jabco didn’t flinch. He stayed calm, his expression collected, his posture straight. He looked at David and spoke in the same polite tone, though his words carried a hidden firmness.

“I think you misunderstand, Mr. Hardison,” Jabco said evenly. “I only asked her as a friend. There is no other meaning. I don’t want to be misunderstood.”

His calmness only fueled David’s fury. Seeing that faint smile on Jabco’s face, steady, self-controlled, almost challenging, David’s anger climbed higher. He could see through it. He knew.

Jabco was interested in Lily. He had sensed it before, in the way Jabco looked at her, in the way his eyes softened around her. He had made that clear once before, right in front of David’s face. And now he dared to stand here, in his mother’s hospital room, and ask Lily out to dinner.